Have you ever taken a trip to the mailbox only to find someone else’s letters in the pile? Throwing it away or opening it is a felony, but there is a way to get rid of it legally.

What should you do?

Simply write “return to sender” or “no longer at this address” on the envelope. Next, mark out any barcodes, and put it back into the mailbox.

It’ll then be labeled “undeliverable,” and it will be hand inspected.

Take a look at Business Insider's video below for a full breakdown.

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Ceudy Gutierrez reads a book to her 2-year-old son, Matias, at their home in Buford, GA, on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. Ceudy Gutierrez is struggling to make ends meet for herself and her three young kids following her husband’s ICE arrest earlier this fall. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez